Borneo Pygmy Elephant
Elephas maximus borneensis
The Borneo Pygmy Elephant is the smallest subspecies of Asian elephant, found almost exclusively in the lowland rainforests and river valleys of Sabah in the Malaysian state of Borneo. Despite the name, adults still stand up to 2.5 metres tall, though they are notably rounder-faced, with larger ears, longer tails, and a noticeably gentler temperament than other Asian elephant populations. Highly social and matriarchal, they move in close-knit family herds through the forest, foraging on grasses, palms, and wild bananas. Their range has been drastically reduced by the expansion of palm oil plantations, making the Kinabatangan River corridor one of their last critical strongholds.
Borneo Pygmy Elephant Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions About the Borneo Pygmy Elephant
The Borneo Pygmy Elephant is found almost exclusively in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo, primarily along the Kinabatangan River corridor and surrounding lowland rainforests.
The Borneo Pygmy Elephant is a herbivore, feeding on grasses, palms, wild bananas, bark, and roots found on the rainforest floor.
The Borneo Pygmy Elephant is listed as Endangered, with fewer than 1,500 individuals remaining. The primary threat is the conversion of lowland rainforest to palm oil plantations, which fragments their habitat and brings them into conflict with humans.
Compared to mainland Asian elephants, the Borneo Pygmy Elephant is smaller, has a rounder face, proportionally larger ears, a longer tail, and is considered to have a notably gentler temperament.
The Borneo Pygmy Elephant is usually matriarchal family herds.
The Borneo Pygmy Elephant is typically diurnal and nocturnal.
The Borneo Pygmy Elephant is nomadic.
The main threats facing the Borneo Pygmy Elephant include Habitat loss from palm oil plantations, Deforestation, Human-elephant conflict, and Poaching.
The Borneo Pygmy Elephant population trend is currently decreasing.
Well-known places to look for the Borneo Pygmy Elephant include Kinabatangan River (Sabah, Malaysia), Tabin Wildlife Reserve (Sabah, Malaysia), Danum Valley Conservation Area (Sabah, Malaysia), and Lower Kinabatangan Floodplain.
Natural predators of the Borneo Pygmy Elephant include Humans (historical).
An iconic symbol of Borneo's biodiversity crisis and the conflict between wildlife conservation and the palm oil industry.
The Borneo Pygmy Elephant is part of the Elephantidae family and a Proboscidea order.
The Borneo Pygmy Elephant weighs about 2000 kg, stands around 240 cm tall, and reaches about 500 cm in length.
